Pole-climber.



A. BLOOM. POLE GLIMBER. APPLICATION FILED JUNE-1, 1913.

I Patented Mar. 24, 1914.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH 90.,wAsHlNu'roN. D- C.

KINTT STATES PATEN union.

AXEL BLOOM, 0F ESCANABA, MICHIGAN.

POLE-CLIMBER.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, AxnL BLOOM, a citizen of the United States, residingat Escanaba, in the county of Delta and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pole-Climbers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention comprehends improvements in pole climbers and relates more particularly to those which are especially adapted for use in climbing telegraph and telephone poles of either wood or steel ma terial, trees, and other objects of a similar nature.

The primary object of the invention resides in the provision of a pole climber, including a stock or foot piece, an inner or lower jaw or arm for engagement with the near side of a pole, and an outer jaw or arm disposed above the inner jaw. for engagement with the far side of the pole.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pole climber which is to be used in pairs, one climber being attached to each foot of the user and of such construction as to enable him to rapidly and safely aslatlon to rlb 11 and 1s supported by means cend or descend a pole.

The invention also aims to provide a pole climber which shall be of extremely strong and simple construction, safe, durable, and capable of adjustment whereby it may be used upon poles of various diameters.

"With these and other objects in view, as will become more apparent as the description proceeds, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction combination, and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

For a complete understanding of my invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which,-

Figure 1 is a top plan view ofa pole climber to be attached to the right foot of the user, Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on the plane of line 3-3 of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on the plane of line P4 of Fig. 1, parts of the device being shown in elevation, and, Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken on the plane of line 55 of Fig. 1.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 4, 1913.

Patented Mar. 24:, 1914.

Serial No. 771,724. a

In the preferred embodiment of my inthe straps 10 which are adapted to buckle over the forward portion of the wearers shoe and cooperate with the straps 7 and 8 to firmly secure the device in position.

A longitudinal reinforcing rib 11 extends along the under side of the foot piece adacent the inner edge thereof and is extended laterally at its forward end to provide an inner jaw or arm 12 which carries the teeth 13 for engagement with the near side of a pole. This jaw or arm is slightly curved, has its upper face in the plane of the top of the foot piece, andis strengthened by the brace 14. It extends at essentially right angles to the inner edge of the foot piece 5 at a point adjacent the forward extremity thereof, and is preferably formed integrally with the reinforcing rib and foot piece.

A longitudinal bar 15, preferably rectangular in cross section, extends along the under side of the foot piece 5 in parallel reof the housings or casings l6 and 17, which are preferably formed integrally with the under side of the foot piece. The housing 16 is formed by the side walls 18, bottom wall 19, and end wall 20. The latter is centrally apertured to permit the passage of an adjusting screw 21, which is held against longitudinal movement by the collars 22, which engage opposite sides of the wall 20.

The adjusting screw threads within an axial recess 23 formed in the rear end of the bar 15 and it will be evident that when the screw is rotated the bar will be moved longitudinally, The housing 16 surrounds the rear end of the bar 15, whereas the U-shaped housing 17- encircles the forward end thereof, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The locking screw 24 is carried by the outer side wall of the housing 17 for engagement with the bar 15.

A vertical arm 25 extends upwardly from the forward end of the bar 15 a considerable distance and has formed upon its upper extremity the horizontal arm 26 which forms the outer jaw of the pole climber. The jaw 26 extends forwardly and then laterally in a gradual curve and carries the teeth 27 which engage the far side of the pole at points above the teeth 13. It will be noted that the jaw 26 is of such size and shape as to extend a considerable distance around a pole and engage that portion of the pole which is diametrically opposite theportion engaged by the j aw 12.

In use, the climber above described, is secured to the right foot of a workman and another climber of corresponding construction, is secured to the left foot. When the workman allows his weight to bear against theheel portion of the foot piece 5 the teeth 13 and 27 will grip the pole upon opposite sides and prevent the device slipping downwardly. The left foot may then be moved either :upw'ardl or downwardly to a new position upon t e pole and when the weight of the user is shifted to this foot the climber secured thereto will grip the pole and remain stationary. As soon as the weight is removed from the climber attached to the night foot it may be slid along the pole to a new position. The tooth 28 which is carried by the vertical arm 25 adjacent its lower end, assists in preventing a movement of the cli-m ber relative to the pole at an inopportune time. The bar 15 may be 'adjusted longitudinally as before stated, so as to adjust the distance between the jaws in order that they may operate successfully upon poles of various diameters. If the pole to be climbed is of such a size as to prevent its being properly engaged by the jaw 26, the bar 15 may be removed and another barsubstituted carrying a jaw of the proper size.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that I have provided an adjustable pole climber which is of extremely strong and simple construction, and

which will firmly engage a pole and easily release itself therefrom so as to permit a workman to rapidly descend or ascend. It.

will also be noted that a relatively flat surface is formed by the lower side of the foot piece so that the user could find no difficulty in walking along a flat surface.

It is to be understood that while I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to be limited to this exact construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, but may make such changes as will fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1, A pole climber including a foot piece, a jaw rigidly secured to the forward end of said foot piece, a longitudinally movable bar secured to said foot piece, a jaw formed upon the forward end of said bar for cooperation with the first mentioned jaw, the bar being formed with an axial bore opening upon its rear end, and a screw rotatably secured to the foot piece and threadingly engaged. with said bore, whereby the bar may be moved longitudinally to adjust the distance between said jaws.

2. A pole climber including a foot piece, a jaw rigidly secured to the forward end of said foot piece, a bar extending longitudinally along the under side of the foot piece, housings to receive the said bar and hold it into engagement with the underside of the foot piece, the bar being formed with an axial bore opening upon the rear end thereof, a screw extending longitudinally into one of said housings and threaded into ongagement with said bore, said screw being held against longitudinal movement relative to the housing, and a second jaw formed upon the forward end of said bar for cooperation with the first mentioned j aw.-

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of'two witnesses.

AXEL BLOOM.

Witnesses O. V. LINDEN, NELs AHL UIsT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Pntentl. Washington, D. G. 

